Fetal Pyelectasis

AmandaG225 · March 2016

We had our anatomy scan today at 21 weeks and found out that our little man has fetal pyelectasis. It will hopefully resolve itself but we have to go back to the perinatalogist for a follow up us at 28w. When we left the appt this morning, I was devastated and balled my eyes out as soon we got to the car. After thinking about what the Dr said and doing some research today, I am now feeling a bit better. Has anyone dealt with fetal pyelectasis before?

DDRRT1982 · March 2016

I have not dealt with this, but I am thinking of you guys. I hope things improve.

jamiesc58 · March 2016

I have also not dealt with it or even heard of it but you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

lougurll · March 2016

Hi! I'm a lurker on here, but I had my 20 week anatomy scan last monday and my little guy was also diagnosed with fetal pyelectasis. My OB said it was a very mild form of it (5.5 mm were the readings for both kidneys), and she said not to worry about it right now. They will do another scan in at 28 weeks to check on the growth. She told me it was very common and most kids outgrow it. She also told me that if his doesn't go away, then we would do ultrasounds on him once he is born and would need to see a pediatric urologist. She also told me her daughter had it in one kidney, her aunt had it, and her cousin had it- so that it appears that it is hereditary. Bottom line: wait for the next scan, and don't stress

and I had to tell myself to stop googling because of what I kept reading!

lkmc88 · March 2016

When I was pregnant with my first son, he was also diagnosed with this. My OB told me this was very common, especially in boys, and almost always resolves itself before birth.

Of course, I was one of the lucky ones whose did not resolved before birth. They did an ultrasound on his kidney while still in the hospital to confirm and then scheduled us an appointment a week later with a ped urologist.

At at the appointment they did an ultrasound and an x Ray of his bladder/kidneys and decided at the time, no treatment was necessary. (I think they like to watch for a while if it's not causing any problems). We went back at 6 months and it had resolved some them but the dilation was still there. After 6 months, we were scheduled for yearly check ups. He's now 4 1/2 and it hasn't resolved any since he was 1 but it hasn't caused the first problem. I honestly wouldn't know unless I had to take him to the doctor once a year.

Sorry for for such a long reply but I know I was searching for any stories possible when I was pregnant with him!

JournoGrl23 · April 2016

Is that where the tube that travels from the kidneys to the bladder is measuring a little big? Because my OB told me one of my baby's kidneys is measuring slightly large and that I'll have to be checked in 8 weeks again to see if it's resolved itself. She told me not to worry though. However, she didn't tell me what that was called.

AmandaG225 · April 2016

JournoGrl23 said:

Is that where the tube that travels from the kidneys to the bladder is measuring a little big? Because my OB told me one of my baby's kidneys is measuring slightly large and that I'll have to be checked in 8 weeks again to see if it's resolved itself. She told me not to worry though. However, she didn't tell me what that was called.

Yes, that is the same thing.

squishy0511 · April 2016

Found out my baby boy has this too. My doc said it's pretty common and usually always resolves by itself! He's going to recheck at my next appt.

Disneygeek77 · April 2016

My son had it. The OB and the tech said it is very common and they see it about 1/3 of the time with boy anatomy scans. They also said it will likely resolve itself and my OB said in all of his of practicing, he only knows of one baby that needed surgery to correct the issue. Sure enough by 34 weeks my ds was fine.

Nikkoli98 · April 2016

I just had my follow-up anatomy scan (23w1d) to get a few views they couldn't see at 18 weeks, and my baby's left kidney has grade 2 (out of 4). My MFM said not to worry about it too much at this point because the right kidney is working and there is enough amniotic fluid. I asked about the chances of it resolving and he said it usually doesn't get better. He said it usually gets worse or stays the same. If it gets really bad (which is rare) he said that kidney may not work at all after birth and it might have to be surgically removed. He also said if the other kidney develops a problem (this is extremely rare) that intrauterine surgery may be necessary to place a tube in the baby's bladder to allow it to drain. He also said that it isn't too uncommon for the baby to need a catheter placed every 6 hours after birth.

I'm hoping all of your OBs are right and it gets better on its own!!! I go back in several weeks for a recheck. Please post if you have any updates on this. Praying for all the little baby kidneys!

Nikkoli98 · April 2016

I did a little more reading. It seems pylectasis is a milder form of hydronephrosis - the latter is the term that was used for my little one. :-/

KelcieKelley · April 2016

Just had our second appointment keeping am eye on the same thing. The right is normal and the left is currently at 8mm. We were referred to a high risk OB for a consultation and to work with our current doctor. Also being referred to a pediatric urologist for an opinion and more info. From everything I have read it corrects itself around 90% of the time.

Nikkoli98 · April 2016

I really hope that is the case for all of us! Best of luck, I would be interested in what your pediatric urologist has to say. I was already seeing MFM so they will keep following for now. I don't remember the measurement of the left kidney :-/

TCUFrog08 · April 2016

I had my 2nd scan today (24 w 1 d) for my thyroid issue and they diagnosed my DS with this. Dr didn't seemed to worried, she said it should resolve itsself and we scheduled a Follow up scan for 6 weeks from now.

I am such a worry wart by nature, but have an overall calmness about this. So I guess that's a plus.

jamiesc58 · April 2016

Fingers crossed for you @msdidonato!

squishy0511 · May 2016

They checked baby again today at my 24 week appt, it looks the same. The doc is sending me for a level 2 ultrasound to look at it but he stressed that in every case he's seen it always resolves before birth. So I'm not super worried yet!

serah496 · June 2016

Boy diagnosed with hydronephrosis at 28 weeks (3rd scan with MFM to confirm). Lots of liquid in his kidneys, but everything else appears to be functioning properly. I have another appt for an US followed by a consultation with the pediatric urologist at 36 weeks. Drs all assuring me it is very common, not caused by anything I did, and usually does resolve itself. Most likely outcome is an US of the boy once he makes his appearance, and a low level of antibiotics until he develops more of an immune system and they confirm that everything functions. Hoping all works out well for all of us.

Nikkoli98 · June 2016

@serah496, my baby also progressed from grade 2 to grade 3 hydronephrosis on the left kidney only, the one right is behaving. I find it stressful, but my MFM said they are seeing this alot more frequently recently.

Best of luck, my doctor is measuring amniotic fluid levels for the rest of the pregnancy every 4 weeks...

TCUFrog08 · June 2016

Just had my 30 week US to check the fluid on his Kidney. They said they it was still present but had dropped into the normal range and there was nothing to worry about!
Hope everyone else has such great news :-)

squishy0511 · June 2016

Just an update, my baby's levels are now 5 and 3, and at 32 weeks they need to be under 7. So my doctor was right, it did resolve!

Nikkoli98 · June 2016

@squishy0511 - that's great news! :-)

Unfortunately for us my baby's left kidney is up to grade 4 hydronephrosis (the worst rating) thankfully the right is functioning correctly. We will likely need to see a pediatric urologist. Now for weekly amniotic fluid index (AFI's) and non stress tests (NSTs).

squishy0511 · June 2016

@Nikkoli98 oh no!! Did the doctors say this could resolve after birth? The specialist I saw said that if the pyelectasis didn't resolve that often times it resolves after they put out urine for the first time. I hope that's the case for you!!

Nikkoli98 · June 2016

It might get better after birth, but will likely need at least U/S's to see what is going on. I'm waiting it hear if the peds urologist wants to meet with us before or after birth.

I'm assuming with this severe of hydronephrosis that there will always be some impairment of this kidney. :-/

I also know that significant hydronephrosis is uncomfortable for adults, so I've been wondering if it's uncomfortable for the baby - but I read some stuff today that made it sound like it doesn't bother babies.

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